Gimpo City and Yonsei University Hold Career and College Admission Mentoring Kickoff Ceremony
Gimpo Youth Paired One-on-One with Yonsei Mentors; Eight Weeks of Guidance Begin
Gangnam-Level Consulting Without the Cost Burden... Students and Parents Delighted
"Quality Education Creates a Good City"
Pioneering Model of Educational Collaboration in the Spotlight
Gimpo City in Gyeonggi Province has overcome its geographical limitations and, by joining hands with Yonsei University, has opened a new path for career and college admission guidance for Gimpo’s youth.
Kim Byungsoo, mayor of Gimpo City, is holding the 'Gimpo City-Yonsei University Career and College Admission Mentoring Kickoff Ceremony' at Yonsei University on the 21st. Provided by Gimpo City
On September 21, Gimpo City held the "Gimpo City-Yonsei University Career and College Admission Mentoring Kickoff Ceremony" at Yonsei University. Starting with this event, Gimpo’s youth will receive close, eight-week guidance on their career paths and study methods with the help of Yonsei University undergraduates. Unlike typical lecture-based formats, this program features one-on-one mentoring, providing practical support in designing student records, establishing study plans, writing reports, mastering study techniques, and managing mental well-being-setting it apart from other initiatives.
Mayor Kim Byungsoo emphasized, "For the future of Gimpo’s children, we can collaborate with anyone in the world, and it doesn’t matter whether the best opportunities to help our children realize their dreams are inside or outside Gimpo. We must not limit ourselves by being confined within the boundaries of our region."
In fact, since the launch of the 8th popularly elected administration, Gimpo City has moved beyond a parochial "just among ourselves in Gimpo" mindset, resolving longstanding local issues through external communication and cooperation. In particular, this educational partnership with Yonsei University is seen as a pioneering case in which a local government overcomes geographical barriers through communication, securing both online and offline educational competitiveness. It is expected to become a major turning point in future changes to local education policy.
The kickoff ceremony was held in grand fashion, attended by Mayor Kim Byungsoo, Yonsei University Vice President Son Youngjong, Yonsei University Software Convergence Education Center Director Han Seungjae, Yonsei undergraduates, and about 200 Gimpo youth.
Kim Byungsoo, mayor of Gimpo City, stated, "Although Gimpo is adjacent to Seoul, it has often felt distant, but this event has opened up another opportunity to learn together with Seoul. Since signing a joint agreement last year to establish a special education development zone, Gimpo City and Yonsei University have continued various collaborations in artificial intelligence and software, and the career and college admission mentoring starting today will become another meaningful educational cooperation model. I believe quality education creates a good city and forms the foundation for Gimpo to become a place where citizens want to stay. Gimpo City will continue to lead in brightening the future of Gimpo’s youth, and endless opportunities will follow their growth."
Kim Byungsoo, mayor of Gimpo City, is performing at the "Gimpo City-Yonsei University Career and College Admission Mentoring Kickoff Ceremony" at Yonsei University on the 21st. Provided by Gimpo City
Son Youngjong, Vice President of Yonsei University, said, "The very fact that this event is taking place is a great learning experience and valuable growth for everyone involved. I hope the students of Gimpo City will learn a lot and make great progress as they communicate with their Yonsei University mentors. Through this mentoring program, I hope each participant will discover their potential and be able to envision their future more clearly. Yonsei University will spare no effort in supporting the students of Gimpo City."
A total of 50 Yonsei University students and 94 Gimpo youth from 14 out of 16 local high schools are participating in this program. From September 21 to November 15, Yonsei students and Gimpo youth will work together as mentors and mentees, focusing on career and college admissions. On the first day of mentoring, popular science communicator Gwedo gave a special lecture titled "How Can Unusual Curiosity Change the World?" which received an enthusiastic response from the students.
One participating student shared, "I used to envy my friends in Seoul who boasted about receiving career consulting, but I knew it was quite expensive, so I never told my parents. Now, as a resident of Gimpo, I can receive career consulting without worrying about the cost. I am truly happy that top-class Yonsei University seniors will think through my career path with me and share their study methods."
A parent commented, "Although I knew my child needed career consulting, the cost was a burden, so I couldn’t provide it. I am so pleased and grateful that Gimpo City has now created this opportunity for our children. This is exactly the kind of policy that truly helps citizens and can advance Gimpo. As Gimpo rapidly grows into a livable city in education, culture, and tourism, I am very proud to be a Gimpo citizen."
On the 21st, the oath was read aloud at the 'Gimpo City-Yonsei University Career and College Admission Mentoring Launch Ceremony' held at Yonsei University. Photo by Gimpo City
Meanwhile, with the launch of the 8th popularly elected administration, Gimpo City has declared its intention to move beyond the traditional role of merely supporting educational funding, becoming a proactive player in the shared mission of nurturing local talent. Since then, the city has achieved numerous milestones, such as being designated a special education development zone and a regionally specialized autonomous public high school, signing a business agreement with Seoul City for the Seoul Learn program, partnering with Yonsei University for educational cooperation, and signing a memorandum of understanding with the National Aviation Museum. These achievements are transforming Gimpo’s educational landscape. At the same time, major developments such as the completion of the Hangang 2 Compact City in Gimpo Hangang New Town, the Gimpo Environmental Regeneration Innovation Complex as a high-tech industrial park, the West Area Metropolitan Express Railway that will usher in the era of 30-minute travel between Gimpo and Seoul, and the ongoing rapid preliminary feasibility study for the Seoul Subway Line 5 extension are all expected to bring significant benefits and changes, drawing attention to Gimpo as an emerging prestigious educational city.
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